Overview

Author Stephen Chbosky adapts his own best-selling novel about a withdrawn teen who attempts to remain hopeful for the future while dreading every day of the present. Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, and Logan Lerman star.

More About
This Product

Overview

Author Stephen Chbosky adapts his own best-selling novel about a withdrawn teen who attempts to remain hopeful for the future while dreading every day of the present. Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, and Logan Lerman star.

Editorial Reviews

All Movie Guide
- Jason Buchanan

One of the most honest and assured teen dramas in recent memory, writer/director Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower feels in many ways like vintage John Hughes, only infused with a bit more substance and transplanted to the mid-'90s. Filled with expressive, well-rounded characters, directed with restraint but remarkable attention to detail, and possessing a distinctive sense of time and place that evokes nostalgia without wallowing in it, the movie portrays the universal truth of adolescence in a manner that speaks to multiple generations and possesses all the hallmarks of a contemporary teen classic. Pittsburgh, PA: 1991. Smart and sensitive teen Charlie Logan Lerman is still grieving his best friend's suicide as he prepares for his first day of high school. As Charlie navigates the hallways and witnesses the torment of the freshman class at the hands of the cavalier seniors, he attempts to keep a low profile in English class. However, he quickly catches the attention of his teacher Mr. Anderson Paul Rudd, who recognizes his passion for writing and literature. Eventually, Charlie works up the confidence to start a conversation with flamboyantly gay senior Patrick Ezra Miller, who, along with his pretty stepsister Sam Emma Watson, gradually begins to pull the sheepish freshman out of his shell and into their tightly knit social circle. But as Charlie's newfound companions prepare to graduate from high school, the memories of his best friend and a troubling event from his childhood weigh heavy on his conscience. And later, when Charlie commits a social faux pas that leaves him more isolated than ever before, his internal and external pressures threaten to become too much of a burden for one boy to carry. From the opening scene of The Perks of Being a Wallflower, as Charlie pens a heartfelt letter to a "friend," making vague references to spending time in a hospital and expressing hopes that he won't "get bad again," the film establishes a deeply personal tone that endears us to the genuinely likeable protagonist. Charlie may be socially awkward and unable to express himself effectively, but we recognize that he's an inherently good person whose complicated and tragic past makes it difficult for him to establish the typical social bonds. We've all known people like Charlie, and Chbosky pens the familiar character with the kind of careful attention to detail that gives him an added dimension missing from the vast majority of teen dramas. Remarkably, that writing talent not only extends to the key supporting characters of Patrick and Sam both wonderfully played by Miller and Watson, respectively, but even to such peripheral figures as Mr. Anderson, closeted jock Brad Johnny Simmons, and angry Buddhist Mary Elizabeth Mae Whitman as well, creating a fully realized world that anyone who has ever attended high school will surely relate to. Meanwhile, the talented Melanie Lynskey makes a lasting impression in a small but crucial role, as does Dylan McDermott in his portrayal of Charlie's gruff yet loving father. Despite all of this, it takes more than perceptive writing and solid performances to create a teen film with the power to affect more than just the demographic it portrays, and with the iconic if not slightly heavy-handed imagery of Patrick and Charlie cruising through a freeway tunnel in a pickup truck while Sam stands in the back, arms wide out, seemingly ready to embrace her uncertain future as David Bowie blasts out of the radio, Chbosky captures one of those elusive, transcendent moments that we all remember from our formative years. Accomplishing such a lofty goal without coming off as contrived or insipid is no simple task, but with a smart, skillfully constructed screenplay that treats its protagonists with genuine dignity and indelible performances by an accomplished cast, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a deeply soulful drama that establishes its writer/director as a rising talent with an authentically compelling and distinctive voice.

Menu

Disc #1 -- The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Play Movie
Chapters
Set Up
Audio
English 5.1 Dolby Digital
Spanish 5.1 Dolby Digital
Subtitles
English Subtitles: On
Spanish Subtitles: On
Subtitles: Off
Special Features
Audio Commentary With Writer/Director Stephen Chbosky
Commentary: On
Commentary: Off
Audio Commentary With Stephen Chbosky, Logan Lerman, Ezra Miller, Johnny Simmons, Emma Watson, Mae Whitman And Erin Wilhelmi
Commentary: On
Commentary: Off
Best Summer Ever
Deleted Scenes
Play All
Play With Commentary By Writer/Director Stephen Chbosky
Commentary: On
Commentary: Off
Scenes 1-6: Alternate Opening (Hospital)
Scene 13: Susan In The Cafeteria
Scene 23: Charlie's Best Friend Michael
Scene 41: Best Milkshake Ever
Scene 79: After Secret Santa
Scene 85: Charlie And Mom On Christmas Eve
Scene 90: Brothers (Extended Version)
Scenes 99-100: New Year's Day
Scenes 133-139: Brother And Sister
Scene 141: Home For Dinner
Scene 212: Charlie And Mom Leave The Hospital
The Poem
Dailies
Play All
Play With Commentary By Writer/Director Stephen Chbosky
Commentary: On
Commentary: Off
Scene 43: Sam Flies Through The Tunnel
Scene 52: Hammer Time
Scene 53: Five Friends In The Cafeteria
Also From Lionsgate

Your Rating:

Your Recommendations:

Barnes & Noble.com Review Rules

Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked,
or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to
Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original
and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you
and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not
violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help
ensure that your review can be posted.

Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13

We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer.
However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or
to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.

What to exclude from your review:

Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the
information on the product page, please send us an email.

Reminder:

- By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its
sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the
review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.

- Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly
those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com
also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.

You have successfully created your Pen Name. Start enjoying the benefits of the BN.com Community today.

Sort by:
Showing
all of
9
Customer Reviews

Life_Long_Movie_Watcher

Posted February 15, 2013

Tough movie. Watched this with my 13 year old daughter and some

Tough movie. Watched this with my 13 year old daughter and some of the subject matter was too much for her. I believe any movie should stand on its own and not be compared to the original book (which I have not read).

This is a good movie about friendship -- extraordinary young actors! Being a friend means accepting the whole person; that was the good message in the show. Some of the best laughs and warmest feelings come from this group of 'wallflowers' or misfits fitting in with each other.

But, some of the other topics made this too much for my early teen to take. Me, too. Couldn't anyone in the show not have tragedy in their lives current or past? So glad the friends were there for the main character at the end, the uplift was good. But overall, too sad.

I would only recommend this for very mature early teens or mid-teens. Be prepared for very troubled, deep, and dark themes, but the friendship made and saved this movie. It's not a happy movie.

SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS

Some of the other subjects were hard to take, too many in fact. My daughter missed some of the references to Sam's promiscuous past, an adult in her past who acted inappropriately to her, the deleted scenes about the sister's preganacy situation missed out on seeing Charlie as someone who was there for his loved ones but still more sad, a friend with possible bulimia, a teen who can't face being gay and his father who beats the son for being gay, lots of drinking and some drug use, the aunt molesting the main character was not revealed until toward the end of the movie was just too much to take by then as you are weighted down by all the sadness surrounding and happening to Charlie. If you are questioning whether to have your child watch this movie, you should know about all the tough topics.

1 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Was this review helpful? YesNoThank you for your feedback.Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

Anonymous

Posted December 21, 2013

My 12 year watched it and she loved it. Told me about it and re

My 12 year watched it and she loved it. Told me about it and really wanted to read the book. I finally watched and enjoyed my husband enjoyed it as well. This is really more a coming of age film. It shows some of the things that some teenagers have to go through in order to make it to adulthood. Some things scar us, somethings change us but all of it makes us who we are. Highly recommend this movie and the book.

Was this review helpful? YesNoThank you for your feedback.Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

Anonymous

Posted June 9, 2013

I have watched this move over and over again. I love this! The

I have watched this move over and over again. I love this! The actors are beyond perfect for this! Everyone should watch this movie. It's a great life lesson and makes you not want to judge another person again. Everyone in school should watch this to learn that no matter how tough things are at the times, things only get better. Cannot say enough about this movie! It's the best!

Was this review helpful? YesNoThank you for your feedback.Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

msdenardin

Posted April 4, 2013

A masterpiece. Chbosky adapts his unforgetable book into a very

A masterpiece. Chbosky adapts his unforgetable book into a very charismatic, heartfelt and inspirational film with superb perfomances and many memorable scenes. As a director and screenwriter, Chbosky is a master of sentiment, and his love to his history and characters is engaging.

Was this review helpful? YesNoThank you for your feedback.Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

Anonymous

Posted February 13, 2013

I'll never get over this movie! Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and E

I'll never get over this movie! Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ezra Miller were perfect! Stephen Chbosky's words are extraordinary

Was this review helpful? YesNoThank you for your feedback.Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

Ms_ReadsAlot45

Posted February 13, 2013

I absolutely adore this film. The book is wonderful as well. Eve

I absolutely adore this film. The book is wonderful as well. Even though a few pivotal scenes from the book were taken out in the movie, it was still exceptional. Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, and Ezra Miller play their roles very well. If you don't buy this film, at least watch it.

Was this review helpful? YesNoThank you for your feedback.Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.